Waterfall Record

This is a portion of a waterfall with a rainbow.

The Waterfall Record

Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr), Wales

Aber Falls is a 121 foot / 37 meter tall waterfall in Wales. It cascades down a rockface that is surrounded by trees, but there are not many trees near the waterfall itself.
Aber Falls in June 2018

During our semi-circular tour of Wales, which took us from Bristol all the way to Manchester (via Wales), one of the highlights was our visit to Aber Falls. Using the lovely coastal town of Llandudno as our base, we took a short drive to the Coedydd Aber National Nature Reserve to seek out this waterfall. Known as Rhaeadr Fawr in Welsh, Aber Falls is a truly impressive sight, plunging a dramatic 121 feet down a sheer rock face. It’s a powerful display of nature that feels like a hidden treasure tucked away in the Welsh countryside.

The journey to the falls is just as enjoyable as the destination itself. The hike is a manageable 2.5-mile round trip, which we found to be an easy-to-moderate walk suitable for most fitness levels. The well-maintained path guides you through a beautiful, ancient woodland and opens up into a valley with stunning views. The sound of the rushing water grows louder as you approach, until you round a final bend and are greeted by Aber Falls. Another waterfall, Rhaeadr Fach, is along the same trail about 1500 feet from Aber Falls.

Visiting Aber Falls was a perfect excursion during our Welsh adventure. The combination of a pleasant, scenic hike and the spectacular payoff of the powerful waterfall made for an unforgettable afternoon. If you find yourself exploring North Wales, especially near the coast, we highly recommend setting aside a few hours to experience the natural beauty and power of Aber Falls.

Directions:

  1. We stayed in Llandudno, a charming, quirky seaside town. Llandudno is not far from A55, the North Wales Expressway. Drive west on A55 for 10 miles or so from Conwy, which is very close to Llandudno.
  2. The Aber Falls car park is off A55, just a bit south of the expressway. There’s an exit on the left that leads to the parking area and trailhead.
  3. From here, you can hike to the falls. The distance of the hike may depend on where you’re allowed to park. Google Maps currently shows some temporary parking areas.

Accessibility: 7/10 (easy/moderate)
Height: 121′ / 37 m
Length of Hike: 2.5 miles / 4 km round-trip

Where in the World is Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr)?

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